3/30/05-A bill intended to keep slow-moving traffic out of the left lane on the state’s multilane highways has died.
HB1372, sponsored by Rep. Vern Tincher, D-Riley, remained in the House Roads and Transportation Committee past the March 4 deadline for House bills to move to the Senate, effectively killing it for the year.
The bill included a provision to restrict trucks to the far right hand lane on certain highways.
It would have restricted all vehicles from the far left lane on interstates.
Tincher’s bill would also have required large trucks, which currently are able to drive in the right-most lanes on highways with three or more lanes in the state, to travel only in the far right lane. Trucks already are restricted to the far right lane on two-lane highways in the state.
Any vehicle other than a large truck would have been able to use the left lane only to pass or overtake a slower moving vehicle. Motorists would have been required to complete the maneuver within one mile.
“If passing cannot be accomplished within that distance, the overtaking motor vehicle must return to the right hand side of the roadway,” Tincher wrote.

1/26/05-A bill sponsored by Rep. Vern Tincher, D-Riley, is intended to keep slow-moving traffic out of the left lane on the state’s multilane highways. It includes a provision to restrict trucks to the far right hand lane on certain highways.
HB1372 would restrict all vehicles from the far left lane on interstates.
The bill would also require large trucks, which currently are able to drive in the right-most lanes on highways with three or more lanes in the state, to travel only in the far right lane. Trucks already are restricted to the far right lane on two-lane highways in the state.
Under Tincher’s proposal, any vehicle other than a large truck would be able to use the left lane only to pass or overtake a slower moving vehicle. Motorists would be required to complete the maneuver within one mile.
“If passing cannot be accomplished within that distance, the overtaking motor vehicle must return to the right hand side of the roadway,” Tincher wrote.
The bill is in the House Roads and Transportation Committee. For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.